How the Network operates
Steering Group
The Lancashire & South Cumbria Cancer Research Network’s (LSCCRN) Steering Group oversees the strategic direction and operational delivery of the Network. Its Terms of Reference and membership support the work streams and aspirations of the Network. The Steering Group are asked to approve major strategic policy developments and funding decisions. The group meets 3-4 times a year and is accountable to the Cancer Service Network Board. It is made up of health professionals representing different organisations that work with the Network and also has representation from patient volunteers.
The steering group approves the Network’s annual report and work programme.
Their role in overseeing the work of the LSCCRN in the implementation of its objectives includes:
- Improving the speed, quality and integration of research within cancer service delivery
- Proactive management of the NIHR cancer portfolio of studies
- Increasing the number of patients participating in cancer clinical trials
- Collaboration with other topic specific and Comprehensive Research Networks
- All aspects of governance including financial, organisational, information systems and research.
NIHR Clinical Research Network Portfolio
The Network Manager and Clinical Lead endeavour to ensure that there is a wide range of trials across all forms of cancer. It takes its studies from the National Institute Health Research (NIHR) CRN portfolio which has over 500 cancer studies. This includes both Randomised Controlled Trials (RCT’s) and non RCT’s such as epidemiology studies. Pre-malignant conditions are also included. The trials are selected based upon local population needs and local expertise and resources.
Recruitment to cancer trials within the LSCCRN is defined locally at three levels in order to accurately reflect recruitment of cancer patients, and those with pre malignant conditions:
- Patients diagnosed with cancer
- Patients who have pre malignant conditions, and those within the Palliative Care specialty
- Other patients supported by Network staff or close collaborators, such as those patients on commercial studies within the cancer specialty (that are not from the NIHR portfolio).
View the NIHR CRN Portfolio
Exemplar Programme
The LSCCRN supported trials into the North West Exemplar Programme, which aimed to demonstrate the improved clinical trial performance that is possible when the NIHR Clinical Research Network works closely with partners in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and across the NHS. Having been succesful in the North West it is now being implemented across the country. read more...
Improving Outcomes
The Cancer Research Network works closely with the Cancer Network in the delivery of the Improving outcomes-a strategy for cancer.
The government’s commitment to supporting excellent research enables the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to provide the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first-class research, enabling research to improve [cancer] outcomes.
Improving outcomes - a strategy for cancer
EDGEResearch
The LSCCRN has invested in an information system called Edge. This is a database to support research staff in accurately recording the number of studies in follow up, the number of patients in follow up and the ratio of patients screened to recruitment.
The EDGE site is held on a secure server and is password protected, health professionals required to access the information have individual logins that are administered by the research network office.
NIHR portal
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) portal was established for research networks and clinical groups in order to share information amongst themselves. Further development is taking place on the site to provide the foundation for research & development applications as well as for it to be the main on-line channel for NIHR communications and collaboration. read more and access...
Communications
Annual Report – this is produced to detail the achievements of the Network over the previous year, and to outline the work plan for the coming year.
SBPE Event Newsletter September 2011